Folding crate.



No. 700,774. Patented May 27, I902.

w. c. HOLMES.

FOLDING CRATE.

(Application filed Dec 24, 1900.

(No Model.)

"m5 nor-ms PETERS ca. Puoroumou wAsumamu, 'n. c

UNITED STATES WILLIAM C. HOLMES, OF PITTSBURG,

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE HALF TO DANIEL OLMSTED, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,774, dated May'27, 1902. Applicatio filed December 24, 1900. Serial No. 40,914. on) model.)

To all whmn it puny concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM C. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Folding Grate, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding crates; and the object is to provide a simple and cheap construction of crate which may be quickly assembled for use or folded in a compact form when not in use.

With the above object in view the invention consists in the novel features of constru c- I 5 tion hereinafter fully described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and clearly illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying my invention; Fig. 2, averticallongitudinal sectional view of the same folded, and Fig. 3 a transverse sectional View of Fig. 1. I

Referring now more particularly to said drawings,A designates the bottom of the crate, formed solid and reinforced by cleats B and at the ends of which the lower sections D of the ends are hinged, the upper sections 0 of said ends being hinged to the top E of the 0 crate, said sections 0 and D being hinged together. For hinging said end sections together and to the top and bottomof the crate straps F are provided, which straps are secured to the edges of said sections and are 3 5 hinged together at their meeting ends. The

lower ends of the straps of sections D are hinged to plates G, secured to the side edges of the bottom A, while the upper ends of the straps carried by sections 0 are hinged to cor- 40 ner-plates H, secured to and depending from v the top E of the crate. The top of the crate, as illustrated in the present instance, is formed of a frame braced by cleats I and having its side bars connected .by rods J. The

end pieces are formed solid. It will be understood, however, that this construction may be changed and the entire crate formed of boards or of open frames similar to the top above described.

Hinged at their upper edges to the side edges of the top E are the downwardly-swinging sides K of the crate, which when the crate is assembled are swung downwardly until they abut against the plates G and H, in which position they are secured by the engagement 5 5 of hooks R, carried thereby, with eyes S, fixed in the bottom A.

In assembling the crate the top E is drawn upwardly by means of handles N, so as to unfold the sides and bring the sections 0 and D thereof in alinement. The sides K are then swung downwardly and secured as above set forth. Said sides K are here illustrated as being formed of frames the side bars of which are connected by rods; but they may be formed of boards or of frames covered with wire-netting, as stated regarding the top and the ends.

One ofthe sides K carries a trough O to contain water or food for the fowls when the crate is used. as a poultry-crate. Said trough occupies a position between the folded end sections when the crate is folded, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the advantage of said arrangement will be apparent to every one, as the trough is protected against breakage, being held within the folded crate, and owing to the peculiar manner of folding the various parts will not take' up any additional room.

The top of the crate is provided with a swinging door 1?, having a suitable spring fastening device Q.

When the crate is folded, it is securely held in such position by the engagement of hooks L, carried by the top E, with eyes M, fixed in the bottom A.

It will be understood various modifications might be made in the construction set forth as, for instance, the crate might be formed as a double tier or story crate by providing sec- 0 tional sides having the sections thereof hinged together andusing a removable division-floor, and also by hinging the top, so that access could be gained to the interior of the plate by swinging the whole top piece outwardly.

Having thus fully described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a folding crate comprising the top, bottom, sides, and ends, the ends being com- 100 posed of sections hinged together, the cornerplates attached to the top and bottom and to ried upon the outer face of the side adjacent to its lower end.

3. A folding crate comprising the top, bottom, ends and sides, the corner-plates, the straps attached to the ends, pivoted to the plate and to each other, each end'being formed of hinged sections, and means for securing the crate in an open or folded position.

' WM. 0. HOLMES.

Witnesses 7 WM. KAUFMAN, MARY SULLIVAN. 

